allemande: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal, Technical (Musicology, Dance, Culinary Arts), Historical
Quick answer
What does “allemande” mean?
A type of dance in moderate duple time, originating in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and a musical composition or movement in the style of that dance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of dance in moderate duple time, originating in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and a musical composition or movement in the style of that dance.
In music: a standard movement, typically the first or second, in a Baroque suite. In cuisine: a sauce allemande, a velouté sauce enriched with egg yolk and lemon juice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Usage is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes historical/Baroque music, formal dance history, or classic French cuisine.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in specialized contexts like music conservatories or historical dance societies.
Grammar
How to Use “allemande” in a Sentence
The suite includes an [allemande].They performed a graceful [allemande].The [allemande] is followed by a courante.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “allemande” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancers will allemande right and left in the next figure.
American English
- In contra dancing, you allemande left with your corner.
adjective
British English
- The allemande rhythm is clearly discernible in this manuscript.
American English
- He specializes in the allemande form within Bach's suites.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, dance history, and cultural studies when discussing Baroque suites or Renaissance dance forms.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be encountered in contexts like historical reenactment or ballroom dance classes focusing on historic styles.
Technical
Core usage. Precise term for a movement in a Baroque suite (e.g., Allemande in D minor) or a specific historical dance step sequence.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allemande”
- Misspelling as 'allemand' (dropping the 'e').
- Pronouncing the final 'e' as a separate syllable.
- Using it to refer to any German person or thing instead of the specific dance/musical form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While the word derives from the French for 'German,' in modern English it almost exclusively refers to the specific dance and musical form, not to people or things from Germany.
No, it is a historically specific term. Using it for a modern dance would be inaccurate unless you are deliberately evoking or quoting the Baroque style.
No, it is considered a classic French mother sauce but is largely archaic in contemporary professional kitchens, having been largely replaced by similar velouté-based preparations.
It is in moderate 4/4 time, with a smooth, flowing character, often beginning with a short upbeat, and features imitative counterpoint.
A type of dance in moderate duple time, originating in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and a musical composition or movement in the style of that dance.
Allemande is usually formal, technical (musicology, dance, culinary arts), historical in register.
Allemande: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæləˈmænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæləˈmɑnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALL ELEGANT MEN DANCE' to recall the formal, stately nature of the Baroque allemande.
Conceptual Metaphor
Ordered Grace: The allemande is often metaphorically described as a 'measured procession' or 'architectural music' due to its structured, contrapuntal nature.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'allemande' LEAST likely to be used?